Downtown Atlanta spruces up
The city of Atlanta hopes a $10 million makeover will appease convention planners who have said in surveys the city is and in need of repair. The project should increase public safety by also addressing the perception that downtown is dirty, says Jennifer Ball, vice president of planning and economic development for Central Atlanta Progress. The group is installing decorative gates around tree boxes, repairing sidewalks and restoring public art. Ball says upgraded pedestrian signage, new street signals and decorative planters that discourage jaywalking will improve safety. The metro Atlanta area sees $11 billion in convention and tourism business every year.
